Member-only story
This Is Us
Dear You
A poem about us
I try to stop thinking you
Every day.
Turn pictures face down,
To groan in bottom drawers,
Let go of gifts
You gave me the birthday
We broke up,
Forget the mix-tape somewhere,
Push the sturdy bike
You built from scraps,
Now flat-tired and rusty,
Slowly out to the bins.
I struggle to stop dreaming you
Every night.
Wake haunted by whispy visions
Of laughter under cherry blossom,
Bodies slotted together
Like nutmeg and mace,
A future baby with your eyes.
In moments when I am spirit,
You tingle up the nape of my neck,
Wrap tendrils round my chest,
Pull my heart apart like pomegranate,
And explode crimson seeds.
I want to stop feeling you
Everywhere.
But beauty always triggers
Your unexpected presence.
Once felt deep enough,
Love recognizes itself
In the mirror of the world,
Smiles with delight at the bruise
Ever rising to mulberry,
Knows such joy only comes
Skipping beside crippled grief,
And I am glad we felt both.
